Dresden's Großer Garten - or "Great Garden" - is a public park that was first established in 1676 by future elector Johann Georg III as a hunting ground. It was located outside the walls of the city, just to the southwest of the city center.The centerpiece of the park is the Sommerpalais, a Baroque masterpiece commissioned by Johann Georg III in 1676 and completed in 1683 after a design by Johann Georg Starcke. It is one of the earliest examples of Baroque architecture in Germany.
The area around the palace has been a public park since 1814. It is the biggest park in the city and generally considered the most beautiful. The park covers about two square kilometers (about 500 acres) and it is the scene of many cultural events and festivals, including several open air stages where concerts and other arts-related performances take place. Fireworks are commonplace at Großer Garten, especially during the summer months and for national holidays.